Michigan

'Acknowledgement Day' to take place at Riverview Plaza to honor Saginaw victims of violence

Clergy members listen as the Rev. Hurley Coleman speaks during a 2012 press conference at Riverview Plaza in Saginaw. A July 13, 2013, event planned in the plaza aims to honor victims of violence, organizers say.
(File | MLive.com)

View full sizeThe Saginaw Chapter of the National Action Network will host "Acknowledgement Day" Saturday, July 12, at Riverview Plaza, 250 W. Genesee.

SAGINAW, MI — Family members of Saginaw victims of violence will be present during an event planned for this weekend to highlight the problem of violence and encourage solutions for the future.

The event, called "Acknowledgement Day," will take place from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 13, at Riverview Plaza, 250 W. Genesee in Saginaw. The Saginaw Chapter of the National Action Network is organizing the event.

Hall's mother, Jewel Hall, is expected to attend the gathering, said Saginaw National Action Network member Cirven Merrill.

The event is to honor all victims of Saginaw violence including Merrills's nephew, Bobby Merrill Jr., who died after he was Tased by Saginaw police officers as they responded to a report that a man was running into traffic and jumping onto cars on April 10, 2012.

Merrill said he is "still not satisfied" with the discipline handed down in the Hall case and the lack of discipline for officers involved in the Merrill case. He said he plans to push for more changes related to the two cases.

He said families of homicide victims have been invited to speak at Saturday's event and there will be an open mic for attendees to sing or speak.

Free food and refreshments will be provided, Merrill said, and a bouncy house will be set up for children.

The group behind Saturday's event is planning a new effort to meet with youths in the coming months in an attempt to quell violence in the city, Merrill said.